It's close to home, I loved the campus, and Bloomsburg is well-known for teaching.
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
Not too hard, but it's really easy to make stupid little mistakes.
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
Yes. Too much. It's easy to forget simple rules.
4. How do you best learn/study math?
I'm a visual learner, so examples with pictures are great. I draw pictures for a lot of problems.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
To study for math, I practice problems. For other classes, I use flashcards.
What's different about math is that you build on what you learned previously, whereas in other classes there is all new material you have to memorize.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
It's helpful once you understand how to do the problems. If you don't, it's frustrating.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
In high school, I took Geometry, Algebra, Pre-Calc, and AP Calculus.
In college, I took Math Concepts (review and learn how to teach 5th grade math)
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
I took higher levels of math in high school and didn't really talk about elementary math
In Math Concepts, we're doing stuff we've done before but we've forgotten it because we weren't practicing everyday.
Interview #2: Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
It was the school I could picture myself going to.
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
I've always liked them, but it depends on the teacher. The class is harder if the teacher isn't good. But once I get it, I get it.
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
In high school, yes. We were always taught to use a calculator. Since it's frowned upon in college, I can't use it as much.
4. How do you best learn/study math?
Practice over and over. Sometimes, I rewrite notes.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
In other classes, I memorize a lot or use flashcards.
With math, I have to practice. I work with a group if I don't understand.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
Yes, definitely. The more practice the better. It gives you more examples on the same material.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
In high school, I took Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calc, and AP Calculus.
In college, I'm taking Math Concepts.
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
In high school, it was a lot easier. Teachers took the time to really explain things.
In college, the professor doesn't explain as much, and you have to figure it out on your own.
Interview #3: Secondary Education/English Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
I felt like I could see myself on campus, like I fit.
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
In the middle. I don't have too many problems.
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
Yes, but only for the four basic functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide).
4. How do you best learn/study math?
By practicing problems in class. I don't like homework problems because you can't get instant feedback.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
I don't study for math.
I like studying with other people or using flashcards for other subjects.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
It's necessary, and yes it helps.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
In high school, I took Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calc, and Calculus.
In college, I took College Algebra and Pre-Calc.
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
Not really, they generally teach the same things.
Interview #4: Special Education/Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
It was my first choice because it was far enough away from home, but not too far.
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
Depends on the class and the professor. The teacher always influences how well you do.
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
Heavily. Sometimes I forget how to add.
4. How do you best learn/study math?
By listening or having visuals. I do practice problems.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
I do more work in math class. I have to work harder to understand it.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
Yes, that way you can ask questions the next day. You can check to make sure you really understand the material.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
In high school, I took Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Statistics, and Pre-Calc.
In college, I took College Algebra.
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
It's the same substance, but you go into greater depth in college. My professor in College Algebra was less lenient in letting you use your own techniques.
Interview #5: Special Education/Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
I really loved the layout, and it was also cheaper than most schools.
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
Somewhere in between; it depends on the class.
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
Yes. I can do the math otherwise, but yes.
4. How do you best learn/study math?
I'm a visual learner. Another thing was that in high school, I could do the work while I was in class, but once I got home, I got confused.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
I study more for math that other classes.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
It is helpful; I just wish that there was time at the end of class to at least start your homework so you can ask questions.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
In high school, I took Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-calc, and Calculus.
In college, I'm taking Math Concepts.
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
I had a lot more math in high school. Also I grew up with Everyday math, which meant I had to focus more.
I think college math is easier. A lot of my friends are in the class and are able to help.
Question: What does the data you collect suggest to you about college life?
I focused on math classes, and my data shows that there are many similarities between college students who are taking different kinds on mathematics. Most commented that math is easier to learn if there are visuals and examples. All of them thought that practice problems were the best way to study for exams. Most of them took the same level of high school math and even the same college math classes, yet they differed on opinion as to which was harder - high school or college. One mentioned how high school was easier because the teacher took the time to explain, while another said college is easier because she has a group to help her study and explain things. As a future math teacher, I took all of this into consideration, and it proved to be really helpful.
CLUE Step 3a
Interview #1: Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
4. How do you best learn/study math?
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
Interview #2: Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
4. How do you best learn/study math?
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
Interview #3: Secondary Education/English Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
4. How do you best learn/study math?
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
- Not really, they generally teach the same things.
Interview #4: Special Education/Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
4. How do you best learn/study math?
- By listening or having visuals. I do practice problems.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
- I do more work in math class. I have to work harder to understand it.
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
- Yes, that way you can ask questions the next day. You can check to make sure you really understand the material.
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
- In high school, I took Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Statistics, and Pre-Calc.
- In college, I took College Algebra.
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
- It's the same substance, but you go into greater depth in college. My professor in College Algebra was less lenient in letting you use your own techniques.
Interview #5: Special Education/Early Childhood Education Major
1. Why did you choose Bloomsburg?
2. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy?
3. Do you depend on a calculator for math?
- Yes. I can do the math otherwise, but yes.
4. How do you best learn/study math?
- I'm a visual learner. Another thing was that in high school, I could do the work while I was in class, but once I got home, I got confused.
5. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes?
6. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class?
7. What math classes did you take in high school? College?
8. Is there any difference between high school and college-level math classes?
Question: What does the data you collect suggest to you about college life?
I focused on math classes, and my data shows that there are many similarities between college students who are taking different kinds on mathematics. Most commented that math is easier to learn if there are visuals and examples. All of them thought that practice problems were the best way to study for exams. Most of them took the same level of high school math and even the same college math classes, yet they differed on opinion as to which was harder - high school or college. One mentioned how high school was easier because the teacher took the time to explain, while another said college is easier because she has a group to help her study and explain things. As a future math teacher, I took all of this into consideration, and it proved to be really helpful.
Back